The crowd gathers to watch the mushroom drop in Kennett Square on New Year’s Eve.
FRAN MAYE — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA

You already know about the crystal-paneled Times Square Ball in New York; but did you know they drop a giant peach in Atlanta, and a lighted potato in Boise, ID?

We drop some traditional and unusual things on New Year’s Eve across Pennsylvania too.

The New Year’s Eve Community Celebration and Ball Drop in Media happens on State and Jackson streets Dec. 31. Entertainment by Philly Gumbo starts at 11 p.m., followed by the ball drop at midnight.

“Mushroom Capital” Kennett Square has a 700-pound stainless steel mushroom that gets raised and lowered Dec. 31 during Midnight in the Square. The fifth annual event begins with a laser light show at 6 p.m. and live entertainment starting at 6:30. At that same time, Kennett Brewing will be serving food, beer and wine. Robyn’s Nest Catering will have three stations and concession carts on East and West State Street. The raising of the mushroom takes place at 8:45, followed by The Funsters on stage from 9 to 12:30. Parking will be available at Exelon Way off East Baltimore Pike, and Kennett High School, with free shuttle buses running from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Visit www.midnightinthesquare.com.

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Since Bethlehem is where Just Born candies are made, they drop a 400-pound Marshmallow Peep chick (and shoot off fireworks) during Peepsfest, a two-day, family-friendly New Year’s Eve festival that’s held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 30 and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 31. The Chick Drop is set for 5:15 p.m. Dec. 31 on the SteelStacks campus at 101 Founders Way. Find the schedule for both days at www.steelstacks.org/festivals/peepsfest.

The City of Lancaster starts the New Year when its signature red rose ascends at Binns Park on the 100 block of North Queen Street. The Countdown Lancaster red rose celebration starts at 10 p.m. Dec. 31. With more than 20 indoor performances, Countdown Lancaster is a family-oriented event, ending in a midnight fireworks display. There’s a “war of the roses” between Lancaster and York, which drops a white rose. Visit www.lancasterpa.com/event/new-years-eve-in-lancaster-city.

A keg drop will be part of the Round Guys Brewery NYE Block Party, which starts at 9 p.m. Dec. 31. Lansdale’s Wood Street will be blocked off and Matt and Dutch Roman will be playing live inside the brewpub. The $35 ticket includes a 12-ounce special RGBC branded glass and unlimited draft beer fills until midnight. Refer to the event on the Round Guys Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Roundguys.

Celebrate with the kids

Lansdale Public Library: A Noon Year’s Eve Party gets underway at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 29. Families can have fun counting down to 2018 early at the library, 301 Vine St., Lansdale. Call (215) 855-3228.

Please Touch Museum: Dec. 31 will feature two opportunities to “Countdown 2 Noon” so young children can take part in the New Year’s excitement. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. enjoy live music, a countdown performance and a traditional New Year’s Eve ball drop at noon and 1 p.m. Admission is $25, $5 for members, free to children under 1. The museum is in Memorial Hall in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, 4231 Avenue of the Republic. Take a look at the schedule at www.pleasetouchmuseum.org.

Act II Playhouse: The cast of “My Very Own Polar Bear” will sing songs and celebrate the holidays, culminating in a countdown to noon, after the 10:30 a.m. performance Dec. 31. The theater is at 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler. Call (215) 654-0200 or visit www.act2.org.

Sesame Place: A “C … is for Celebrate!” fireworks show starts at 6:25 p.m. Dec. 31 at the theme park in Middletown Township, Bucks County. Fireworks will begin immediately following the 6 p.m. performance of the Neighborhood Street Party Christmas Parade. Look into ticketing options at www.sesameplace.com.

Gather ‘round

Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center: A “Diamonds and Denim” themed “comfortably classy” gala will include performances by the Resident Theater Company and New Street Heat, dining, dancing, a raffle, auctions, specialty cocktails and a champagne toast. The center is at 226 N. High St., West Chester. Tickets are $175. Visit www.uptownwestchester.org or call (610) 356-ARTS.

Valley Forge Casino Resort: Make some noise Dec. 31 at The Vault with Dueling Pianos. Tickets are $72 and include an open bar from 8 p.m. to midnight, and a bar bites buffet, champagne toast at midnight and party favors. The casino is at 1160 First Ave., Upper Merion. Visit www.vfcasino.com/events/nye2018duelingpianos.

Liberty Union Bar and Grill: There’s a New Year’s Eve Party Dec. 31 at both the Chester Springs location at 325 Simpson Drive and the Kimberton location at 519 Kimberton Road. Get details at www.libertyunionbar.com.

John Wesley Cross American Legion Post 507: The organization holds its annual New Year’s Eve Party, 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. in the post’s canteen. Cost is $30 and $50 per couple, which includes DJ, food, party favors and open bar with rail drinks. JWC Post is a non-profit organization at 20 W. Cleveland Ave., Norwood. Everyone is welcome.

Musical flair

Sellersville Theater 1894: Blues Brotherhood, a tribute to The Blues Brothers, will get you up and dancing to classic R&B, blues and soul tunes. The 10:30 p.m. show New Year’s Eve will include a champagne toast at midnight. Visit www.st94.com or call (215) 257-5808.

Dino’s Backstage and The Celebrity Room: Accompanied by Billy Stritch, Marilyn Maye is the featured entertainer Dec. 31 at the supper club at 287 N. Keswick Ave, Glenside. There’s an early show at 7:30 p.m. followed by a late show at 11. Early show dinner seating begins at 6 p.m. and late show dinner seating begins at 9:30. Early show tickets are $155, and late show tickets are $225, which include one welcoming cocktail, four-course prix fixe menu, champagne toast and party favors. Go to www.dinosbackstage.com or call (215) 884-2000.

Take the plunge

Pottstown: The annual Polar Bear Swim gets going at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 1 at Riverfront Park with registration from 9:30 to 10:30. To register and for more information, check www.pottstown.org.

In addition, a New Year’s Day Celebration and Bonfire will also be taking place at 10 a.m. Foods will be available for purchase, including hot dogs and sauerkraut. The park is at 140 College Drive in Pottstown.

Philly New Year

Powel House: The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia hosts its eighth annual New Year’s Eve Ghost Tours Dec. 31 at the Powel House in Society Hill, 244 S. Third St., Philadelphia. Discover tales of mystery, merriment and ghosts who party the night away, including the spirits of Samuel and Eliza Powel, Benedict Arnold and Ben Franklin. One-hour tours will be available from 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $22. Call (215) 413-1997 or visit www.ghosttour.net/hauntedphiladelphia.

Delaware River Waterfront: See the annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks at 6 p.m. or midnight Dec. 31. Among those hosting parties are SugarHouse Casino and Independence Seaport Museum. The RiverRink also gets in on the action with entertainment, favors, outdoor seating and great views. Visit www.delawareriverwaterfront.com.

Manayunk Brewery & Restaurant: NYE 2018 gets underway at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 at 4120 Main St. in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia. There will be DJs, dancing and more in multiple rooms. Get more information at www.facebook.com/events/1383606971761142.

Hyatt at The Bellevue: The Glitter City Gala starts at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 at 200 S. Broad St., Philadelphia. Get more information and ideas at www.nyephilly.com.

“Bobby Hill & Friends! A Family New Year’s Eve” features the singer that became an overnight sensation when he performed for Pope Francis and millions of others around the world at a live, 2015 televised performance on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in honor of the pontiff. The concert, which will also include the New Jersey Boychoir, the Archbishop Carroll High School’s Choir and the “Find Your Instrument!” Choir from Lingelbach Elementary School, is dedicated to the endARTSlessness campaign, for which Hill is the spokesperson. It’s set for at 4 p.m. Dec. 31.

A free New Year’s Day Celebration happens 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 1 in the Commonwealth Plaza, with activities and performances, along with a birds-eye view of the Mummers Parade.

Pennsylvania Convention Center: MummersFest continues 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 29-30 and noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 31, giving fans of the New Year’s Day parade a chance to revel by making crafts, trying on authentic Mummers costumes and watching the clubs rehearse. Admission is $4 per person. The convention center is at 1101 Arch St., Philadelphia. More details are at http://fancybrigade.com/shows_events/behind_scenes.php.

Mummers Parade: Starting at 9 a.m. Jan. 1, the procession along Broad Street from City Hall to Washington Avenue, features 10,000 strutting mummers decked out in feathers and sequins, music and merriment. Indoors, clubs perform routines at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in the Fancy Brigade Finale. The finale showcases more than 2,500 Fancy Brigade performers doing four-and-a-half-minute routines set to music. Tickets are required for bleacher seating at City Hall and for the Fancy Brigades, and are available at the Independence Visitor Center, Sixth and Market streets. Call (215) 965-7676 or visit www.phlvisitorcenter.com. For more information on this tradition, go to www.phillymummers.com.